Today Lauren is having a Hickman line placed. So what is a Hickman Line?A Hickman® line is a long-term intravenous catheter. The Hickman® line catheter is a hollow flexible tube made of soft rubber-like material. It is a special intravenous device that can be used for drawing blood, infusing chemotherapy, antibiotics, blood products and other medications. . If needed, it can be kept for many months Next question, why is Lauren having this placed????? When we came here last week, I would have never guessed the out come of what has been happening. So the plan is Lauren needs to be on a medication called dobutamine. Dobutamine is used to treat acute but potentially reversible heart failure, such as which occurs during cardiac surgery or in cases of septic or cardiogenic shock, on the basis of its positive inotropic action.[2]Dobutamine can be used in cases of congestive heart failure to increase cardiac output. It is indicated when parenteral therapy is necessary for inotropic support in the short-term treatment of patients with cardiac decompensation due to depressed contractility, which could be the result of either organic heart disease or cardiac surgical procedures. It is not useful in ischemic heart disease because it increases heart rate and thus increases myocardial oxygen demand.[citation needed] Lauren is having this done so we can go home. Her heart is not strong enough on it's own. This medication gives it that extra push to keep the blood pumping.She will have a bag that will carrying the pump and medication with her at all times.. Lauren will need this medication until she receives a new heart.

Lauren is also going to have to wear a Life Vest.

What Is the LifeVest Wearable Defibrillator?The LifeVest wearable defibrillator is a treatment option for sudden cardiac arrest that offers patients advanced protection and monitoring as well as improved quality of life.The LifeVest is the first wearable defibrillator. Unlike an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), the LifeVest is worn outside the body rather than implanted in the chest. This device continuously monitors the patient's heart with dry, non-adhesive sensing electrodes to detect life-threatening abnormal heart rhythms. If a life-threatening rhythm is detected, the device alerts the patient prior to delivering a treatment shock, and thus allows a conscious patient to delay the treatment shock. If the patient becomes unconscious, the device releases a Blue™ gel over the therapy electrodes and delivers an electrical shock to restore normal rhythm.

So much is happening. Well, that explains her heart, now onto the the kidneys. Lauren had a kidney biopsy performed yesterday. She did great. The site today looks good but she is sore. The kidney transplant doctors will be in later this afternoon with results. Not really sure what we want to hear. We were told we can go home Monday, as long as nothing else happens. I need to be trained on how to care for Lauren's Hickman Line. Another course in nursing school. I am nervous about it. I think I am more nervous for infection, but I was told we will have a nurse come daily at home to monitor Lauren. I am sure I missed some things, but my mind is fried. Just trying to absorb everything that is going on. Thank you for all the prays and kindness​ Lynne

Lynne, You are both in my daily prayers. I’m sending you all the love I have.

Reply

lynne

12/9/2017 03:00:42 pm

Deserie, thank you so much. We need a miracle at this point. The last couple of days, the nurses have told me I'm in shock with everything that was told to us. This isn't fair, my daughter has been through so much. I say to God "come on man, enough is enough". Thank you for thinking of us. Love lynne